Oyster Bay Merlot 2013

From - Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Grape - Merlot
Alcohol 13.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Asda, Tesco
Price - around a tenner

Appearance - Clear, deep, purple.  Legs observed.

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Black cherry, raspberry, plums.  A touch of sweet spice (vanilla).

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid; medium+ body and alcohol; medium length;medium tannin.  Black and red cherries, plums.  Drinkable now, but would benefit from further ageing.

This is a silky-smooth and very fruity varietal Merlot.  The ripeness of the fruit means that it would match up a variety of foods very well.  The alcohol is pretty well integrated, although it has the fruit intensity to age if you desire, although it is not one I would go to the trouble of ageing, myself.  The length isn't quite what I anticipated but nonetheless it is very palatable and one I will buy again.

Whispering Angel Rose 2014

From - Provence, France
Grape - Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Vermentino
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose
Price -£16.99

Appearance - This wine is clean, with a pale, pink appearance.

Nose - The nose is clean with a youthful, medium- intensity aroma of grapefruit, raspberry and cranberry.

Palate - The palate is dry with medium intensity, high acid long length, medium+ alcohol, medium body.  The flavours reflect the aroma with maybe a touch of green apple.

I am drinking this as it was recommended to me.  A typically classy, elegant and food-friendly wine from Provence, who do rose so well.  It ain't cheap, but it's beautiful.

Calvet Sancerre Rose 2014

From - Sancerre, Loire, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 12.5% abv
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £15.99

Appearance - The appearance is clear, pink with medium intensity.

Nose - The nose is clean and youthful, with medium intensity aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries.

Palate - The palate is dry, with high acidity, medium alcohol, medium- intensity and long length.  It has flavours of red fruit, raspberries and strawberries, and maybe a touch of cherry.

As you might imagine, a lovely wine.  With a subtle aroma of ripe red fruit, the palate seems slightly more tart at first, and therefore reminiscent of raspberries, but the ripe red fruit from the Pinot Noir comes through on a surprising length, in view of the subtlety of flavour.  This is a great option for a warm afternoon or evening.  I would not imagine that this would be suitable for ageing, but it is a classy and highly satisfying 'drink now' wine.

Waitrose Foundation Chenin Blanc 2014

From - Cederberg, SA
Grape - Chenin Blanc
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £8.99

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, lemon-green

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, citrus, and apple.

Palate - Dry, medium alcohol, high acid, medium+ body, medium+ length. Medium+ intensity   Lime, stone fruit, apples, a touch of stone minerality and even a touch of petillance.

Oz Clarke reckons that, when the 'true' price of a wine can sometimes be in doubt, supermarkets' own label wines can often prove to be good value.  I found this wine to be really good, plenty of fruit and very refreshing.  I had it to accompany a tomato salad, which worked really well.  It also provides a good deal for the farmers.

Inama Vigneti di Foscarino Soave Classico 2012

From - Veneto, Italy
Grape - Garganega
Alcohol - 12.5% abv
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £18.99

Appearance - Clear, medium+ intensity, lemon-green

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful with aroma of ripe pears, citrus (grapefruit and lime), and a touch floral.

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, full body, medium+ length, medium+ intensity, with stone fruit (peach), ripe apples and pears, citrus (lime), stone minerality and maybe a touch of honey.

This is a beautiful, complex, full bodied wine, that I would be brilliant with a risotto, I reckon.

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro

From - Penedes, Catalunya
Grape - Moscatel
Alcohol - 15%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £7.49

Appearance - Clear, deep, tawny

Nose - Clean, medium- intensity, with grape and slightly nutty aroma.

Palate - Sweet, medium+ acid, medium length, full bodied, with raisins, prunes, sweet spice, ginger and candied peel, like Christmas time!

This is a great value sweet wine from the accomplished familia Torres, that is a great match-up for a variety of desserts, and was very agreeable with my strawberries and Booja-Booja vanilla ice-cream.  Yum yum.

La Monetta Gavi del Commune Gavi 2014

From - Piedmont, Italy
Grape - Cortese
Alcohol - 11.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £10.99

Appearance - Clear, lemon-green with a medium intensity.

Nose - Clean, with medium intensity aroma of apples, limes and green herbs.  Youthful

Palate - Dry, with medium+ acid, medium body, medium alcohol, medium+ length and flavours as per the nose, plus a touch of almond.

This is a lovely, well balanced wine with plenty of length and a great match for oily or creamy dishes.  A treat.  Definitely a good one to go for if you fancy trying a Gavi.

Casa Valduga Leopoldina Chardonnay 2013

From - Campanha, Brazil
Grape - Chardonnay
Alc - 12%
Available from - Waitrose
Price £13.99 (although £10.11 until Tues 7th April)

Appearance - Clean; medium intensity; lemon-green

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; youthful; apple and stone fruit.

Palate - dry; high acid; medium alcohol, medium intensity; medium body, medium+ length, apples and pears, citrus (lemon) and tropical (kiwi).

This is a classy, elegant, cool climate Chardonnay.  Lovely fruit flavours with the oak influence being only subtle.  If this were made in France  it'd be much more expensive.  Excellent.

Many thanks to all my recent readers in Ukraine and Russia.

Graben Gritsch Trocken Gruner Veltliner 2013

From - Wachau, Austria
Grape - Gruner Veltliner
Alcohol - 12.5%
From - austrianwinesandspirits.co.uk (Suffolk-based!)
Price - £14.99

Appearance - This white wine is clean, dry, pale and lemon-green.

Nose - The nose is clean and youthful, with a medium intensity and green fruit (pears), stone fruit (peaches) and a touch of stone minerality.

Palate - The palate is dry, with high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium intensity and medium plus length.  There are flavours of green fruit (apples and pears), citrus (lime), and stone minerality.

Very good quality.  Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

A very nice example of Gruner Veltliner, Austria's big grape.  This is just the thing for an aperitif, It has good length and due to its quality and elegance, I would recommend a half-hour out of the fridge prior to drinking, which enhances the richness and subtle flavours.

Terredora Falanghina 2013

From - Campania, Italy
Grape - Falanghina
Alcohol - 13% abv
Available from - Majestic
Price - £11.99 (or £8.99 as part of a multi buy)

Appearance - Clean, lemon-green, medium intensity

Nose - Clean, medium- intensity, youthful, green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon),

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, medium length.  Green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon & lime), tropical fruit (kiwi, papaya).

An agreeable, fruity, refreshing wine with subtle complexity.  It has been lees aged, which influences the palate, but only just a touch.

Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2012

From - South Australia
Grape - Shiraz
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £10.99 (but £8.79 until 12 May)

Appearance - Clean, with deep ruby colour.  Legs observed

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Blackberry and black pepper.

Palate - Dry, medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium+ intensity, medium+ length, full body.  Black fruit (blackberry), red fruit (raspberry), spice (black pepper)

Very good quality, can drink now but potential for ageing.

I tried this based on a colleague recommendation.  I can see why he is such a fan.  Lots of body, plenty of length, smooth, with ripe tannins.  An absolute steal at the moment.  If you like to age wines (and I do), this would be a candidate.  Otherwise, consider matching this with a weighty and savoury dinner.

Black Cottage Pinot Gris 2014

From - Marlborough, NZ
Grape - Pinot Gris
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Majestic
Price - £12.99

Appearance - A white wine with a pale, lemon colour.

Nose - A clean, youthful nose, with medium intensity.  Aromas of pears, peaches and a touch of floral.

Palate - The palate is dry, with medium+ acidity, medium alcohol and body, and medium intensity. With green fruit of apples and pears; peaches and a touch of stone minerality.

This is a very nice example of a New World Pinot Gris, with subtle flavour and aroma, well balanced with not too much alcohol.  Currently on a 'buy two save 25%' at Majestic which makes it good value.  Fruity enough to match up with a bit of spice in your dinner.

Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Choice Pinot Noir 2012

From - Carlton Oregon, US
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 14%
Available from - The Wine Society thewinesociety.com
Price - £19.50

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, ruby

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, youthful.  Red fruit (cherries, raspberries), pungent spice (black pepper) Black fruit (blackberry).

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium body, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol, medium tannin.  Red fruit (raspberries, cranberries, cherries), pungent spice (black pepper).  Medium+ length.

My first review from Oregon, and it is a fantastic, smooth, highly satisfying and delicious Pinot Noir. The Wine Society's prices are really good, so you would expect this to be high quality, and it is.  This would match up a wide range of dinners, and also would have the class to impress guests.

Pinot Noir fans, grab one if you can.

Waitrose Cava Brut Castillo Peralda NV

From - Spaib
Grape - Perellada
Alcohol - 11.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £9.39

Appearance - Clear, lemon, medium intensity, petillant

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, Citrus (lemon), stone fruit (peach), autolytic (lees).

Palate - Dry, high acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium- intensity, medium+ length, creamy mousse.  Citrus (lemon), kernel (hazelnut).

Good quality, drink now, not suitable for further ageing.

Oz Clarke says that often wines produced in partnership with retailers can be the best value, and I would say this wine is good evidence of that.  Although Prosecco is all the rage, the time a Cava spends in contact with the lees gives it a bit of complexity and makes it an interesting alternative.  This has a good bit of citrus and acidity that makes it refreshing, but although the concentration of the fruit flavours is not particularly strong on the palate, the length is good and the complexity comes through on the finish.

Domaine Begude Terroir 11300 Organic Chardonnay

From - Limoux, France
Grape - Chardonnay
Alcohol - 13%
Available from - Waitrose,
Price - £9.99

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, golden.

Nose - Clean, medium intensity, youthful, green fruit (apple and pear), stone fruit (peach), minerality (stone)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium+ body, medium  alcohol, medium+ length.  Green fruit (apples and pears), citrus (lemon), minerality (stone).

Organically produced Chardonnay from a relatively cool part of the Languedoc, which allows slow ripening, and retention of acidity.  This is a classy one and ideal for an aperitif.  Really good, and well worth a tenner.

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi 2011

From - Manteca, California, USA
Grape - Zinfandel, Petit Syrah
Alcohol - 15%
From - Waitrose, thewinesociety.com, ocado.com
Price - £12.99

Appearance - Clear, deep, ruby.  Legs observed

Nose - clean, medium+ intensity; dark fruit (bramble, cherry), sweet spice (vanilla).

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid; medium+ tannin; high alcohol; full body; pronounced intensity; black fruit (cherry, bramble), pungent spice (black pepper), sweet spice (vanilla, nutmeg).  Long in length.

I know a few people through work who absolutely adore this wine.  You can see why.  If you like your wines to be intense and full-flavoured, full bodied and uncompromising, then this is for you.  It requires a good bit of time decanted to allow the intensity of the tannins to relax, and if you do this you are rewarded with an intensely flavoured, smooth and delicious, fruity wine which lingers.  Big alcohol levels demand respect, but with the intense fruit and surprisingly decent acid level I can see this working with all kinds of food, I would imagine even breaking the much-emphasised rule of matching high alcohol with a curry.

If you try this, don't forget the decanting time, and keep a few salty snacks to hand and experiment with the effect of this combination.

If this description intrigues you, do not hesitate to try it because it is great.

Allegrini Corte Giata Amarone del Valpolicella 2011

From - Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
Grape - Corvina
Alcohol - 15%
Available from - thewinesociety.com
Price - £23

Appearance - Clear, deep, ruby.  Legs observed

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Black fruit (blackberry, black cherry, plums)

Palate - Dry, medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium+ intensity, high alcohol, full body, long length.  Black fruit (plums, cherry) sweet spice (vanilla), pungent spice (pepper).

Oustanding quality, can drink now but potential for ageing.

Having blind-tasted a dozen wines today, this was my favourite and I managed to grab the remaining half-bottle to take home.  I know it is pricey but it is sensational.  So super-smooth and full in your mouth.  It has a big score on the alcohol but you wouldn't know, as the alcohol on the palate is in great balance with everything else. A bit of time out of the bottle the black cherry flavour comes through so wonderfully.  The grapes were clearly nicely ripened as the tannins, although significant, are smooth rather than bitter.  Being an Italian wine it is a good food wine but I just sat with the bottle and a glass, and savoured the delicious flavours and long length.

I will be buying an Amarone again soon.

Laboure-Roi Mersault 2012

From - Burgundy, France
Grape - Chardonnay
Alcohol 13% abv
From - waitrose.com (not waitrosecellar.com)
Price - £16.99

Appearance - Pale, clear, gold

Nose - Clean, pronounced, tropical fruit (melon), green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon), stone fruit (melon).  Youthful

Palate - Dry, high acid, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ intensity, long finish.  Citrus fruit (lemon), green fruit (apple), mineral (steely),

Conclusions -  good, can drink now but suitable for further ageing.  High priced.

This is really good, with great body, lots of zingy acid, and plenty of length.  I would imagine that this would be a bigger treat in a few years.  I imagine drinking this with something in a creamy sauce, for a great match.

Photo copyright Jenny Hynes 2015.

Chateau Roumieu Sauternes 2009

From - Bordeaux, France
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Alcohol - 13.5%
Available from - Christopher Keiller Fine Wine
Price - £116 for 6x 37.5cl

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, gold

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; citrus (lemon); candied peel; marmalde; kernel (hazelnut).

Palate - Clean; luscious; medium+ alcohol; full body; pronounced; long in length; marmalade; tropical fruit (pineapple); citrus (lemon).  A nicely balanced wine.

Outstanding; can be drunk now, but potential for ageing.

Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux 2006

From - Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Alcohol - 13% abv
From - www,thewinesociety.com
Price - £19/35cl

Appearance - Clear; deep intensity; ruby.  Legs observed.

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; black fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant); pungent spice (black pepper).  Developing.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ intensity;  black fruit (cherry); maturity (leather, tobacco).  Long length

Conclusions - Very good; can drink now but potential for ageing.

A concentrated and tasty Bordeaux, developing extremely interesting mature flavours and aromas.  The Wine Society sell this in half bottles so it will mature quicker, and it is an exciting prospect for ageing.

La Vis Vigneti Pinot Grigio 2013

From - Veneto, Italy
Grape - Pinot Grigio
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £9.99

Appearance - Clear and pale.  Lemon coloured.  Legs observed.

Nose - Clean, with medium+ intensity; youthful.  Green fruit (apples and pears), sweet spice (cloves) plus stone fruit (melon) and floral (honeysuckle)

Palate - Dry, medium alcohol, medium+  acid; medium body; medium intensity; medium+ length.  Green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon),

Good quality; can drink now, not suitable for further ageing.  Mid-priced.

I must admit this is one I tried before and was impressed.  This is very good value for money.  It retails at a tenner and is often cheaper.  It is surprisingly and very pleasantly aromatic, has good acid levels and reasonable length.  You could easily spend a bit more for a wine this agreeable.  Pinot Grigio fans, try this as soon as you can.

The Society's Monthelie 2010

From - Burgundy, France
Grape - Pinot Noir
Alcohol - 13.5% abv
Available from - thewinesociety.com
Price - £17.50

Appearance - Clear, light, ruby

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity; developing with red fruit (redcurrant, cherry) and spice (cinnamon)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium tannin, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol and body, long length.  Red fruits and spice also on the palate, and a touch earthy.

Silky tannins, good body, flavour and length, Very good quality.

Torres Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc 2012

From - Central Valley, Chile
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol - 12%
Available from - Waitrose; Ocado
Price - £8.99 (currently £7.19)

Appearance - Clear; medium- intensity; lemon-green

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing, grass and lime.

Medium intensity; medium+ acid; medium alcohol; medium body; medium length; apples, limes, nettle, papaya and banana.

Balance - 8  Length - 6.5  Intensity - 6  Complexity - 6.5

A delicious new world Sauvignon Blanc.  My partner's favourite so I must be even more positive than usual.  Made by the famous Torres family from Spain, this is from their Chilean concern.  Made from organically grown grapes, it is packed with typical Sauvignon Blanc flavours and high acid levels making it refreshing and zingy.

If you like Sauvignon Blanc (and a lot of people do, it seems) you should consider sometimes looking beyond Loire and Marlborough and try something from Chile.

Eigl Zweigelt St Michaelis 2012

From - Joching, Austria
Grape - Zweigelt
Alcohol - 13.5%
Available from - austrianwineandspirits.uk (in Suffolk)
Price - about £15

Appearance - Clear, medium+ intensity; ruby

Nose - Clean; developing; medium- intensity; cherries, raspberries, strawberries.

Palate - Dry; medium intensity; medium tannin, medium- acidity; medium+ length; medium+ body; medium+ alcohol; cherries, berries, a touch of spice.

Balance - 7  Length - 8  Intensity - 7  Complexity - 6

This is really smooth and palatable.  It seems less acidic than average, but despite this is not flabby.  Agreeable fruit and a touch of sweet spice that lingers well, and the alcohol level adds body but doesn't dominate the palate.  This wine is not cheap, but is very good indeed.


The Zweigelt grape is a hybrid of St Laurent and Blaufrankisch grapes, and is Austria's number one grape.

Zweigelt on the vine...